Some Definitions and Models relating to Learning Objects

Digital Assets  Raw ingredients from which content is made (Powell, 2004)  Files and Resources (Malkovic and Zeilman, 2004)  Text, images, blocks of HTML, MS Word docs,.pdf files, Flash, audio, movies

Learning Objects (Powell, 2002)

Learning Objects  Digital Asset + measurable learning objective + assessment or self check. Can be re-used….. (Powell, 2004)  Any digital resource which can be re-used to mediate learning (Wiley, 2004)  Pedagogical and Practical Expectations concerning LOs ….. (Malkovic and Zeilman, 2004)

Pedagogical Expectations of Learning Objects (Malkovic and Zeilman, 2004)  Learning Obectives  Range in scope & size  Purpose and goals  Teaching Strategies  Activities, content, assessment  Sequence matters  Content matters  Learner Focussed  Interactive  Adaptable  Trackable  Learning about learning  Continuous improvement

Practical Expectations of Learning Objects (Malkovic and Zeilman, 2004)  Easy to use  Owner Manageable  Workflow-able  Portable  IP-able  Creditable  Access Manageable  Translatable/Localizable  Searchable  Identifiable  Review-able  Importable  Reference-able  Interoperable  Inte,grate-able  Customizable  Modular  Reusable  Re-purpose-able  Launch-able  Accessible  Trackable  Archive-able  Restorable  Improvable  Sellable  Buyable

Learning Object Layer Model (Powell, 2004)

Learning Objects Hierarchy Model (Malkovic and Zeilman, 2004)

IMS IMS Global Learning Consortium, Inc.  “develops and promotes the adoption of open technical specifications for interoperable learning technology”.  “The Consortium provides a neutral forum in which members with competing business interests and different decision-making criteria collaborate to satisfy real-world requirements for interoperability and re-use.”

SCORM Sharable Content Object Reference Model  “SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) has integrated the most important and relevant developments of existing standards to provide guidelines for the structure, presentation and delivery of future e-learning programmes.” currentStandards_wP002.htm

Meta-Data “Data that describes other data. Data dictionaries and repositories are examples of metadata. The "meta" tag that describes the content of a Web page is called metadata. Examples of metadata include titles, authorship, copyright information, and other pieces of information that help you understand what the data is and how to use it, without necessarily viewing the data itself.”

The E-Learning Fan (J. Scribbins adapted by Powell, 2002) Traditional teaching tool Blended learning Remote learning: anytime, anywhere Supporting learning Differentiated programme Anytime learning Differentiated pace

References  Malkovic and Zeilman, 2004 Learning Objects and WebCT, online Seminar 29th January 2004, Archived:  Powell, 2002, Learning Objects: Key Issues and Definitions, Ferl Presentation: Online seminar, 20th December 2002, Archived:  Powell, 2004, Technology for e-Learning: Learning Object Technology  Wiley, 2004, David Wiley, Utah State University. Keynote speaker, WebCT European Conference, Amsterdam, February 2004, Biography: eynotes eynotes Websites last accessed: 10/06/04

Shirley Ambrose